NASCAR has announced major changes in its practice and qualifying procedures for the 2025 season, affecting the three main categories: NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The new measures include more practice time, consistency in procedures, and a renewed method for determining starting grids. Except for superspeedway events, each qualifying session will consist of a single round, with starting positions determined solely by qualifying results.
Pre-Qualifying Practice for the DAYTONA 500
As part of the changes, a practice session will be added before qualifying for the DAYTONA 500. This 50-minute practice is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at 10:05 a.m. (ET). On the same day, the official Media Day will take place from noon to 7:00 p.m., followed by the qualifying session for the Busch Light Pole Award at 8:15 p.m.
Practice and Qualifying Broadcasts
| Channel | Covered Events |
|---|---|
| FOX Sports | The Clash, DAYTONA 500, All-Star Race |
| Prime Video | First half of the NASCAR Cup Series season |
| TNT Sports | Second half of the season, available on Max and truTV |
| CW Platforms | Details on NASCAR Xfinity Series broadcasts will be announced later |
Practice and Qualifying Procedures by Track Type
| Track Type | Practice | Qualifying | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25 minutes per group | One lap, one round | Las Vegas, Phoenix, Darlington, Texas, Kansas, Charlotte |
| Short Tracks | 25 minutes per group | Two laps, one round | Martinsville, Bristol, Iowa, Richmond |
| Superspeedways | Not applicable | One lap, two rounds. The 10 fastest advance to the final round | Atlanta, Talladega, Daytona |
| Street and Permanent Circuits | 25 minutes per group | 20 minutes per group, multiple cars on track | Chicago Street Race, Sonoma, Watkins Glen |
Extended Practice Weekends
| Category | Events with Extended Practices |
|---|---|
| Cup Series | The Clash, DAYTONA 500, COTA, All-Star Race, Mexico, Indianapolis |
| Xfinity Series | Rockingham, Mexico, WWTR |
| Truck Series | Rockingham, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Charlotte Roval |
With these updates, NASCAR aims to streamline activities for both teams and fans.
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